Newsletter

Dust storm hits all but 4 Panhandle counties

Dust has enveloped all but the four southeast counties of the Texas Panhandle, resulting in a dust storm warning from the National Weather Service.

The warning is in effect until 10 p.m.

“The dust is getting kicked up in areas up north,” said Ken Schneider, a meteorologist at the NWS office in Amarillo. “The winds here now are 30 mph gusting up to 42.”

The Texas Department of Transportation highway cameras are showing the brown haze in all directions. The camera on U.S. 87/287 just south of Dumas is barely showing the road through the dust.

With the drought conditions and fronts like the one that moved through last night, dust has been a problem.

“This year we’ve issued quite a few warnings,” Schneider said.

Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Chris Ray said his department hasn’t closed any roads yet.

“That doesn’t mean a sheriff’s department hasn’t,” he said. “We’re just urging caution if you have to travel, especially in high-profile vehicles.”

Area schools are keeping the dust storm in mind when it comes to recess and outdoor athletics practices. Officials from Canyon and River Road school districts said students will remain indoors today unless conditions improve.

The NWS website says wind will be sustained at 40 mph gusting to 65 in the northern Panhandle and 35 mph gusting to 55 in the southern part of the region.

Visibilities can drop to zero in these conditions. The NWS website warns drivers to pull off roads as far as possible if that’s the case, but never stop on a road. If pulling off isn’t possible, drive slowly with headlights on and sound the vehicle’s horn, the warning states.

The front has also brought a return of cool temperatures resulting in a freeze watch for Dallam, Sherman, Hartley and Moore counties tonight, according to the Weather Service. The low in Amarillo is expected to be 34 degrees.